Insect repellent substrate for headwear

ABSTRACT

An insect repellent substrate ( 10 ) includes a fabric base material ( 12 ) made of felt which is impregnated with a repellent carrier composition ( 14 ). The carrier composition ( 14 ) includes a mixture of wax and a naturally occurring insect repellent such as pyrethrum oil. The carrier composition ( 14 ) may also include scented or aromatic oils such as citronella oil, rosemary oil, eucalyptus oil and neem oil. Strips of the fabric base material may be attached to headwear such as a headband or cap so that it is in contact with the wearer&#39;s hair or body. Active constituents of the carrier composition ( 14 ) provide effective treatment and prevention of headlice and other parasitic insects.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an insect repellent substratefor repelling lice and the like insects, and relates particularly,though not exclusively, to headwear having a strip of said insectrepellent substrate provided in connection therewith.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Infestations of headlice and other parasitic insects are aperennial problem, particularly in schools where the lice are easilytransmitted from child to child. Up to the present time there has beenvery little that one can do to prevent a child from being infected withheadlice. Regular inspection to identify nits, which are the eggs oflice, is the only way to detect an infestation. Treatment includescombing the hair with a fine-toothed comb and/or washing the hair with aspecial shampoo which contains chemical substances designed to kill thelice and nits.

[0003] However, the shampoos that are currently available to treatheadlice typically contain harsh synthetic chemicals such aspermethrium, piperonyl butoxide and organophosphates which have beenknown to cause skin irritation. In the United Kingdom across the countersales of shampoos containing organophosphates have recently been bannedbecause of health concerns.

[0004] A further disadvantage with shampoos is that they only treat thehair at the time of use. They do not prevent the child from beingre-infected when he/she returns to school.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention was developed with a view to providing alice repellent substrate suitable for headwear that can kill any licepresent in the hair as well as preventing any further infestation ofheadlice. Although the present invention will be described primarily inrelation to the treatment and prevention of lice infestation, it is tobe understand that it also has application to the treatment and/orprevention of infestations of other parasitic insects such as fleas.Furthermore, although the insect repellent substrate is particularlysuitable for headwear it may also have other applications such as, forexample, under a pillow at night.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention there isprovided an insect repellent substrate for repelling lice and the likeinsects and for attachment to a garment, the substrate comprising:

[0007] a strip of fabric base material impregnated with a repellentcarrier composition and being adapted to attach to the garment in amanner that will ensure continuous contact of the insect repellentsubstrate with the wearer's hair or body, the carrier compositionincluding a mixture of wax and an insect repellent whereby, in use, thewearer's body heat causes the carrier composition to soften to provide acontrolled release of the insect repellent from the fabric basematerial.

[0008] Preferably the insect repellent is a naturally occurringcompound. More preferably the insect repellent includes an extract fromthe pyrethrum flower. Most preferably the insect repellent is pyrethrumoil. Advantageously the carrier composition further includes one or morescented or aromatic oils. More preferably the carrier compositionincludes citronella oil and rosemary oil, which are also mild insectrepellents. Preferably the carrier composition further includes neemoil, a naturally occurring insect repellent.

[0009] Typically the wax is a paraffin wax. Alternatively, the wax isbeeswax obtained from honeycomb of the bee.

[0010] Preferably the carrier composition includes between 0.5% to 6.0%by volume of pyrethrum. Preferably the carrier composition includesbetween 0.5% to 4.0% citronella oil. Preferably the carrier compositionincludes between 0.5% to 5.0% rosemary oil. Preferably the carriercomposition includes between 3.0% to 9.0% neem oil. Preferably thecarrier composition also includes between 0.5% to 6.0% eucalyptus oil.

[0011] Most preferably the carrier composition includes 30 mls ofpyrethrum (50% w/w), 20 mls of citronella, 25 mls of rosemary and 45 mlsof neem oil to every one litre of wax. Preferably the fabric basematerial is a felt material; most preferably a polyester/cotton blendfelt material.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of manufacturing an insect repellent substrate forrepelling lice and the like insects for attachment to a garment, themethod comprising the steps of:

[0013] producing a repellent carrier composition by:

[0014] heating a wax to a liquid state; and,

[0015] mixing an insect repellent with the liquid wax;

[0016] dipping a strip of fabric base material into the carriercomposition whilst still in the liquid state for a sufficient length oftime to allow the base material to absorb some of the carriercomposition;

[0017] allowing the impregnated strip of base material to cool so thatthe carrier composition solidifies on the base material to form saidinsect repellent substrate; and,

[0018] attaching the substrate to the garment whereby, in use, thewearer's body heat causes the carrier composition to soften to provide acontrolled release of the insect repellent from the fabric basematerial.

[0019] Preferably the insect repellent is a naturally occurringcompound. More preferably the insect repellent includes an extract ofthe pyrethrum flower. Most preferably the insect repellent includespyrethrum oil.

[0020] Preferably the step of producing the repellent carriercomposition further includes mixing one or more scented or aromatic oilswith the liquid wax. Most preferably the scented oils include citronellaoil and rosemary oil, which are also mild insect repellents.

[0021] Preferably the step of producing the carrier composition furtherincludes mixing neem oil with the liquid wax.

[0022] Typically the garment is an item of headwear such as, forexample, a headband, hat or a cap. Alternatively the garment is ananimal garment, such as, for example, a flea collar or a coat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to facilitate a better understanding of the nature ofthe invention a preferred embodiment of the insect repellent substratewill now be described in detail, by way of example only, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024]FIG. 1 illustrates a typical piece of insect repellent substratein accordance with the invention;

[0025]FIG. 2 illustrates a headband having a strip of the insectrepellent substrate of FIG. 1 attached thereto;

[0026]FIG. 3 illustrates a strip of insect repellent substrate inaccordance with the invention having a strip of hook and loop fastenermaterial fixed thereto; and,

[0027]FIG. 4 illustrates a baseball cap having several strips of theinsect repellent substrate illustrated in FIG. 3 attached thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the insect repellent substrate 10 asshown in FIG. 1 comprises a piece of fabric base material 12 impregnatedwith a repellent carrier composition 14. Any suitable fabric basematerial may be employed. In the preferred embodiment the fabric basematerial is a felt material. A felt material made from a cotton andpolyester blend was found to be most suitable. The fabric base material12 should preferably be sufficiently absorbent to absorb the carriercomposition 14 in a liquid state whilst retaining a degree offlexibility when impregnated with the carrier composition 14 in itssolid state.

[0029] The repellent carrier composition 14 includes a mixture of waxand an insect repellent. In this embodiment the wax is a paraffin wax,although a naturally occurring wax such as beeswax obtained fromhoneycomb of the bee may also be used. The wax typically has a meltingpoint of between 60° C. to 65° C. The insect repellent employed in thecarrier composition is preferably a naturally occurring compound. In thepreferred embodiment the insect repellent includes an extract from thepyrethrum flower. Pyrethrins, the active constituent of pyrethrumflowers, are commonly used as a contact insecticide in fly-sprays.Pyrethrins are noted for the very rapid paralysis (knock-down) effectproduced on flies, mosquitoes and other insects. Chemically modifiedpyrethrins, such as permethrium, have greater persistence and othercommercially desirable properties. In the present invention, it ispreferred to use the naturally occurring pyrethrum pale extract frompyrethrum flowers grown in Kenya. Typically, a diluted pyrethrumsolution (50% w/w PBK) in an odourless isoparaffin solvent is used.Typically between 0.5% to 6.0% by volume of the pyrethrum oil solutionis employed in the repellent carrier composition.

[0030] Advantageously the carrier composition 14 also includes one ormore scented or aromatic oils. The addition of scented or aromatic oilsis desirable in order to give the repellent carrier composition apleasant aroma or scent. In addition, selected naturally occurringscented oils, such as citronella oil, rosemary oil and eucalyptus oilact as mild insect repellents and/or have other medicinal qualities.Thus, for example, rosemary oil is a mild insect repellent and is alsothought to help to relieve headaches. Citronella oil also acts as aninsect repellent and provides a fresh citrus aroma. It also helps to dryup congestion of the nasal passages. Eucalyptus oil is an antiseptic andeucalyptus vapours act to relieve congestion and breathing difficultiesthrough the nasal passages.

[0031] The carrier composition preferably also includes neem oilextracted from the neem tree, which is a long-lasting insect repellent.Through extensive experimentation the inventor has found that therepellent carrier composition should preferably include a mixture ofbetween 0.5% to 4.0% by volume citronella oil, 0.5% to 5.0% by volumerosemary oil and 3.0% to 9.0% neem oil together with 0.5% to 6.0% byvolume of pyrethrum. These proportions were found to give the carriercomposition sufficient active components to kill any lice or nitspresent, balanced with the repellent and aromatic properties of theconstituents. A carrier composition which includes 30 mls of pyrethrum(50% w/w), 20 mls of citronella, 25 mls of rosemary and 45 mls of neemoil to every one litre of wax has been found to be particularlyeffective.

[0032] The wax in the carrier composition 14 provides a controlledrelease of the insect repellent from the fabric base material 12. Inuse, the base material 12 may be sewn on the inside of a garment in amanner that will ensure contact with the wearer's hair or body. Forexample, a strip 16 of the insect repellent substrate may be sewn to theinside of a headband 18 as shown in FIG. 2. Strips of the impregnatedfelt material are cut to various sizes, ranging from 20 cm to 24 cm inlength and from 2.5 cm to 5.0 cm in width, are sewn into stretchy cottonfabric to form the headband. Alternatively, strips of the impregnatedfelt may be sewn onto or adhered to an existing headband. When theheadband 18 is worn on the wearer's head the strip 16 of insectrepellent substrate will be in contact with the wearer's hair. The bodytemperature of the wearer will cause the wax in the substrate to softenallowing the active and aromatic constituents of the repellent carriercomposition to be slowly released onto the wearer's hair and scalp. Thecontrolled and continuous release of active constituents onto thewearer's hair and scalp not only kills any existing headlice and/or nitsbut also prevents any further infestation. In use, the strip 16 ofinsect repellent substrate has been found to provide effective treatmentand prevention of headlice for approximately 6 to 8 weeks. After thislength of time most of the active constituents of the repellent carriercomposition are found to have leached out or evaporated from the fabricbase material.

[0033] The insect repellent substrate 10 is relatively simple andinexpensive to manufacture. Typically, strips of the felt material arecut to size and dipped in a preheated (to approximately 70° C.) waxsolution containing the pyrethrum, citronella, rosemary and neem oil inthe proportions noted above. The pyrethrum oil, citronella oil, rosemaryoil and neem oil are simply added to the melted wax and readily mix withthe wax in view of their oily composition. The felt strips absorb thewax solution after two or three minutes and then the impregnated feltstrips are allowed to cool so that the wax solution solidifies on thefelt fabric. After approximately two minutes of cooling the impregnatedfelt strips are ready to be attached to any suitable garment. The stripsof insect repellent substrate may be attached to the garment using anyappropriate fastening, for example, by sewing, an adhesive or using ahook and loop fastener system such as Velcro (registered trade mark).

[0034]FIG. 3 illustrates a strip 20 of the insect repellent substratehaving a strip of hook and loop fastener material 22 fixed thereto. Onepart of the hook and loop fastener is glued to the felt base material 10and the other part can be attached to a garment by sewing or using asuitable self-adhesive. A baseball cap 24 is illustrated in FIG. 4(shown upside down) having several strips 20 of the insect repellentsubstrate attached to an inside surface of the cap where they will be indirect contact with the hair and/or scalp of the wearer. Similar stripsof the insect repellent substrate can be attached to suitable animalgarments, such as a flea collar worn by pet dogs and cats or on thebridle or protective coat worn by horses, sheep and other livestock. Inthis connection, the repellent properties of the active constituents ofthe repellent carrier composition have also been found to repel fliesand mosquitoes.

[0035] A piece of the insect repellent substrate 10 may also be used asa “night breather” to reduce congestion and aid breathing during sleep.A carrier composition containing 30 mls by volume of citronella, 20 mlsby volume of rosemary, 30 mls by volume of eucalyptus and 5 mls byvolume of pyrethrum to every litre of wax, has been found particularlyeffective as a night breather. A piece of the insect repellent substrateapproximately 20 cm×14 cm is placed in the pillowcase or under thebottom sheet next to the mattress at the head of the bed. The nightbreather has also been found to relieve snoring in many cases. In thisapplication, the insect repellent substrate 10 may also act to treat andprevent bed infestations of lice, fleas and dust mite.

[0036] Now that a preferred embodiment of the insect repellent substratehas been described in detail, it will be apparent that it has severaladvantages over the prior art methods of treating headlice, includingbut not limited to the following advantages:

[0037] (a) it provides immediate treatment as well as long-lastingprevention;

[0038] (b) the naturally occurring repellents employed are lesshypo-allergenic and more environmentally friendly than the prior artsynthetic compounds;

[0039] (c) the scented or aromatic oils produces a fresh herbal aroma;

[0040] (d) it is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture; and,

[0041] (e) it is inconspicuous and can be easily attached to commonlyworn headwear by children, who are particularly self-conscious aboutsuch things.

[0042] Numerous variations and modifications to the described embodimentwill suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art, in addition tothose already described, without departing from the basic inventiveconcepts. For example, other types of suitable fabric base material maybe employed. All such variations and modifications are to be consideredwithin the scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to bedetermined from the foregoing description and the appended claims.

The claims defining the present invention are as follows:
 1. An insect repellent substrate for repelling lice and the like insects and for attachment to a garment, the substrate comprising: a strip of fabric base material impregnated with a repellent carrier composition and being adapted to attach to the garment in a manner that will ensure continuous contact of the insect repellent substrate with the wearer's hair or body, the carrier composition including a mixture of wax and an insect repellent whereby, in use, the wearer's body heat causes the carrier composition to soften to provide a controlled release of the insect repellent from the fabric base material.
 2. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 1, wherein the insect repellent is a naturally occurring compound.
 3. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 2, wherein the insect repellent includes an extract from the pyrethrum flower.
 4. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 3, wherein the insect repellent is a pyrethrum solution.
 5. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 1, wherein the carrier composition further includes one or more scented or aromatic oils.
 6. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 5, wherein the carrier composition includes citronella oil and rosemary oil, which are also mild insect repellents.
 7. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 2, wherein the carrier composition further includes neem oil, a naturally occurring insect repellent.
 8. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 1, wherein the wax is a paraffin wax.
 9. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 4, wherein the carrier composition includes between 0.5% to 6.0% by volume of pyrethrum.
 10. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 9, wherein the carrier composition includes between 0.5% to 4.0% citronella oil.
 11. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 10, wherein the carrier composition includes between 0.5% to 5.0% rosemary oil.
 12. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 11, wherein the carrier composition includes between 3.0% to 9.0% neem oil.
 13. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 12, wherein the carrier composition also includes between 0.5% to 6.0% eucalyptus oil.
 14. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 13, wherein the carrier composition includes 30 mls of pyrethrum (50% w/w), 20 mls of citronella, 25 mls of rosemary and 45 mls of neem oil to every one litre of wax.
 15. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 1, wherein the fabric base material is a felt material.
 16. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 15, wherein the fabric base material is a polyester/cotton blend felt material.
 17. A method of manufacturing an insect repellent substrate for repelling lice and the like insects for attachment to a garment, the method comprising the steps of: producing a repellent carrier composition by: heating a wax to a liquid state; and, mixing an insect repellent with the liquid wax; dipping a strip of fabric base material into the carrier composition whilst still in the liquid state for a sufficient length of time to allow the base material to absorb some of the carrier composition; allowing the impregnated strip of base material to cool so that the carrier composition solidifies on the base material to form said insect repellent substrate; and, attaching the substrate to the garment in a manner that will ensure continuous contact of the insect repellent substrate with the wearer's hair or body whereby, in use, the wearer's body heat causes the carrier composition to soften to provide a controlled release of the insect repellent from the fabric base material.
 18. A method of manufacturing an insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 17, wherein the insect repellent is a naturally occurring compound.
 19. A method of manufacturing an insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 18, wherein the insect repellent includes an extract of the pyrethrum flower.
 20. A method of manufacturing an insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 19, wherein the insect repellent includes a pyrethrum solution.
 21. A method of manufacturing an insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 17, wherein the step of producing the repellent carrier composition further includes mixing one or more scented or aromatic oils with the liquid wax.
 22. A method of manufacturing an insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 21, wherein the scented oils include citronella oil and rosemary oil, which are also mild insect repellents.
 23. A method of manufacturing an insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 17, wherein the step of producing the carrier composition further includes mixing neem oil with the liquid wax.
 24. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 1, wherein the garment is an item of headwear.
 25. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 24, wherein the garment is a headband and said insect repellent substrate is sewn onto the inside of a stretch fabric forming the headband.
 26. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 1, wherein the insect repellent substrate is removably attached to the garment using hook and loop fastening material.
 27. An insect repellent substrate as defined in claim 26, wherein the garment is a baseball cap. 